I have a real hard time getting a headphone to stay in the "sweet spot" in the jack to hear stuff. This is getting worse. Is this a jack problem in the T3 or is the the problem I read about with some headphone plugs not fitting right? Has anybody opened up the T3 to try to remedy this??
T3 headphone jack
- Thread starter Kunmui
- Start date
s7artan007
New member
I'd try experimenting with other headphones before taking the T3 apart. the phones are probably more subject to failure than the T3 depending on the quality, age and condition of the phones.
I would not hesitate to put a drop of WD-40 in the headphone jack. I do it occasionally on my TE and have done it once so far on my TX. It will not do any harm.
The way you put one drop in is to spray the WD-40 onto something such as a straigtened out paper clip. Then put the clip into the jack. The WD-40 will readily wick into and around all contacts and moving parts.
The way you put one drop in is to spray the WD-40 onto something such as a straigtened out paper clip. Then put the clip into the jack. The WD-40 will readily wick into and around all contacts and moving parts.
whtsthislif4
New member
I would also suggest trying out other headphones. The cheap one's usually have the not so good jacks. In today's electronics most headphone connectors are inclosed, and cannot be adjusted. You have to replace them, and unless you are into sodering don't go there. Another tip is to clean the jack itself. Any lens cloth or an alcohol patch will do a good job of getting grease and such off of the jack. Just make sure it is dry befor plugging it back in. Have not heard about the wd 40 but it sounds alright if you use just the least little bit.
Stay away from WD40 on a device like a PDA. Even though it is a very thin oil, it is still a dust collector. Dust and electronics don't live so well together. If it wasn't lubricated with something from the factory in the first place, it doesn't need to be lubricated. Test other headphones. That will tell you whether it's a phone issue or a jack issue.
Looks good on paper maybe but in the real world WD-40 is an excellent product for this application. I speak from extensive experience. Also, I carry my PDA in my pants pocket (lint etc.) and not in an enclosure.
Or, you can do what most people do. throw it away and get a new one.
Or, you can do what most people do. throw it away and get a new one.
Your experience is different from mine.
Another option to consider rather than throwing it away or spraying a dust attracting lubricant on it is to fix whatever the actual problem is. It isn't supposed to be lubricated, plain & simple and lubrication won't do anything more than mask whatever the real problem is.
If it's a loose wire, reconnect it. If it's a dirty or corroded contact, scrape it lightly with a sharp blade or very fine sandpaper. If it's a bad headphone plug, replace the plug or replace the headphones.
If it doesn't have enough dust on it spray WD40 on it...
Another option to consider rather than throwing it away or spraying a dust attracting lubricant on it is to fix whatever the actual problem is. It isn't supposed to be lubricated, plain & simple and lubrication won't do anything more than mask whatever the real problem is.
If it's a loose wire, reconnect it. If it's a dirty or corroded contact, scrape it lightly with a sharp blade or very fine sandpaper. If it's a bad headphone plug, replace the plug or replace the headphones.
If it doesn't have enough dust on it spray WD40 on it...
Firstly, dust does not hurt electronics unless enough is accumulated on electronic components to act as a thermal insulation, and that is not going to be a problem with the PDA. Any electronic device in your home that has ventillation (radio, TV computer, etc.) is likely to have a healthy accumulation of dust inside it.
Second, the headphone jacks that they put in the Palm PDAs are very tiny and not of very high quality. They are a rather frail mechanical device.
The average PDA user is not going to be able to "fix the problem" by replacing the headphone jack if that is the problem. If you have ever had a Palm PDA apart you will know why the average guy is not going to replace that jack. For one thing, finding a replacement part is not going to be easy and maybe impossible. Performing any kind of surgical procedure on that jack is virtually out of the question.
The method I suggested of "wicking" a small drop of WD-40 into the jack will not put enough lubricant in the PDA to get onto anything but the jack. I know this to be true because I have had the back off my TX while wicking a small drop of WD-40 into and I could very easily see where it went, and where it did not go.
If the jack is the problem, and if WD-40 will NOT fix it, THEN you will have to find another way to fix it.
Go for the simple, non-destructive solution first. Then, if that fails, go for the more complex and expensive solution.
Second, the headphone jacks that they put in the Palm PDAs are very tiny and not of very high quality. They are a rather frail mechanical device.
The average PDA user is not going to be able to "fix the problem" by replacing the headphone jack if that is the problem. If you have ever had a Palm PDA apart you will know why the average guy is not going to replace that jack. For one thing, finding a replacement part is not going to be easy and maybe impossible. Performing any kind of surgical procedure on that jack is virtually out of the question.
The method I suggested of "wicking" a small drop of WD-40 into the jack will not put enough lubricant in the PDA to get onto anything but the jack. I know this to be true because I have had the back off my TX while wicking a small drop of WD-40 into and I could very easily see where it went, and where it did not go.
If the jack is the problem, and if WD-40 will NOT fix it, THEN you will have to find another way to fix it.
Go for the simple, non-destructive solution first. Then, if that fails, go for the more complex and expensive solution.
nature walker
New member
I usually try to go for a fix that actually addresses the problem. If WD40 has "fixed" your PDA, great. But I'd guess it's not a permanent fix evidenced by the fact that it sounds like you've had to use it more than once to fix your problem.
Just because dust gets into electronic appliances doesn't mean you should encourage it to get in there. I would guess if you asked any Palm or other electronic technician if they think it's a good idea to actually attract dust into sensitive electronic devices using WD40, they'd probably say no.
In terms of electronics, I'm an "average guy" and I've had the backs off numerous PDAs to repair things.
Like I said in a previous post, my experience is different form yours. Based on my experience (and I have had some both with electronic equipment and WD40) using a lubricant where it isn't supposed to be is generally not a good idea. I have learned that from experience. WD40 is an amazing penetrating lubricant and used in the right applications can do miraculous things. Used in the wrong application it can do harm.
Just because dust gets into electronic appliances doesn't mean you should encourage it to get in there. I would guess if you asked any Palm or other electronic technician if they think it's a good idea to actually attract dust into sensitive electronic devices using WD40, they'd probably say no.
In terms of electronics, I'm an "average guy" and I've had the backs off numerous PDAs to repair things.
Like I said in a previous post, my experience is different form yours. Based on my experience (and I have had some both with electronic equipment and WD40) using a lubricant where it isn't supposed to be is generally not a good idea. I have learned that from experience. WD40 is an amazing penetrating lubricant and used in the right applications can do miraculous things. Used in the wrong application it can do harm.
Ok boys, hope this doesn't lead to bloodshed!! 
You both have valid points. A touch (much less than a "drop") of lubricant doesn't really hurt much of anything here.
Occasionally a door hinge in my house may develop a squeak, so I give it a couple drops on WD-40. In over 35 years of home ownership, I've never replaced a door hinge because of a squeak.
In fact WD-40 may even prevent corrosion of the contacts if you are frequently in humid or otherwise corrosive environments (vibrations of electrical connections in and of itself can be corrosive). That has been my experience with equipment, especially in a marine environment. And there is hardly anything much more damaging to electronic equipment than salty, humid air or excessive vibrations. I have had no problems using a rag lightly sprayed with WD-40 to wipe down electrical contacts or other metal surfaces to protect them.
My two most handy repair items in the tool box are duct tape (often called "duck" tape) and WD-40. If it moves but it shouldn't, I use the former. If it dosen't move but it should, I use the latter.
Cheers,
John
You both have valid points. A touch (much less than a "drop") of lubricant doesn't really hurt much of anything here.
Occasionally a door hinge in my house may develop a squeak, so I give it a couple drops on WD-40. In over 35 years of home ownership, I've never replaced a door hinge because of a squeak.
In fact WD-40 may even prevent corrosion of the contacts if you are frequently in humid or otherwise corrosive environments (vibrations of electrical connections in and of itself can be corrosive). That has been my experience with equipment, especially in a marine environment. And there is hardly anything much more damaging to electronic equipment than salty, humid air or excessive vibrations. I have had no problems using a rag lightly sprayed with WD-40 to wipe down electrical contacts or other metal surfaces to protect them.
My two most handy repair items in the tool box are duct tape (often called "duck" tape) and WD-40. If it moves but it shouldn't, I use the former. If it dosen't move but it should, I use the latter.
Cheers,
John
ChristianR
New member
Didn't mean to start a war. Must have caught me on a bad day. I've just had some experiences using WD40 in ways it wasn't intended for which have had bad results.
Sorry, Gregte. Nothing personal meant.
Sorry, Gregte. Nothing personal meant.